by womensaidscot17 | Dec 11, 2024 | Uncategorised
Dear Daughter,
Did you realise that 25th November was International Day for the Elimination of Violence
against Women and that the 16 Days since then have marked 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence?
Did you celebrate?
If you did celebrate, did you go out with friends to a bar, where you needed to gurard your
drink in case it was spiked?
Did you need to shield yourself and your pals from the sexist ‘banter’ being hurled your way?
Did you need to fend off at least one unwanted advance invading your space and making
you feel uncomfortable?
Did you need to make sure you carried your keys, your defense of choice, gripped in your
hand while you walked from the bus stop to your home?
Did you remember to call your friends when you got home to mark yourself safe?
I hope in the future you don’t need to write this letter to your daughter.
Love,
Mum xxx
If you are looking for support around domestic abuse, please contact Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline on 0800 027 1234, email and web chat at www.sdafmh.org.uk or WhatsApp/Text on 07401288595.
by womensaidscot17 | Nov 19, 2024 | Uncategorised
Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline awarded Helpline of the Year!
Our Helpline operates 24/7, 365 days a year offering emotional support, practical information, safety planning and links to local services. When people experiencing domestic abuse or forced marriage feel they have nowhere to turn, we are there to believe them, listen to them and support them.
2023-24 was a big year for us. Not only did we handle 14,249 contacts – which was an increase of 14% on the previous year – we also launched a brand new text service, improving accessibility for those needing discreet communication due to coercive control. Now, those looking to contact us can text us, phone us, email us or speak to us on webchat – all at the times that are safest and most convenient for them.
Providing this kind of support day in, day out is a privilege, but it is not without its pressures. We know that and we work hard to look after both the mental and physical wellbeing of our staff.
So, it was with great excitement that we travelled to the Helpline Partnership annual conference and awards recently, having been nominated for a number of awards.
It was great to be among colleagues at the conference who serve on all manner of Helplines. We were inspired hearing about their experiences of delivering innovative services and supporting people in times of great need.
When it came to the awards ceremony, it was wonderful to see teams recognised for their delivery of impactful services that really do make a difference for people across the UK. Congratulations to everyone who was nominated, and to those who won various awards across the different categories.
We were overjoyed to have the hard work and dedication of Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage team recognised by the judges, who awarded us the Helpline of the Year Award and the Staff Wellbeing Support Award.
Paula Ojok, Chief Executive Officer at Helplines Partnership, said:
“We are delighted to award Scottish Women’s Aid the Helpline of the Year Award and the Staff Wellbeing Support Award. This remarkable service is a lifeline for those it serves, providing a tailored, vital resource that has life-saving impact. This recognition reflects the dedication of the team, whose resilience and support for one another ensures they offer hope and safety to women and children when they need it most. It is truly inspiring work.”
And the panel of judges commented:
Helpline of the Year Award
“Amazing resource, tailored to absolutely meet the needs of the community it seeks to serve. This is a vital resource in a community often shrouded in secrecy and stigma. The numbers speak for themselves, and the testimonials echo the impact – this helpline helps save lives.”
Staff Wellbeing Support Award
“This organisation demonstrates outstanding commitment to its staff, knowing that this will reflect in their ability to work to the very highest standards possible. Truly best practice, and quite astonishing. Exemplary on every level.”
So, if you are experiencing domestic abuse or forced marriage, or you’re worried about someone you know – please know that our Helpline is a service you can trust. We’re here for you 24/7 with no judgement, no expectations and no pressure.
You can contact us by:
Phone: 0800 027 1234
Email: helpline@sdafmh.org.uk
Webchat: www.sdafmh.org.uk
Text/Whatsapp: 07401 288 595
by womensaidscot17 | Oct 2, 2024 | Uncategorised
This blog was written by a member of our Survivor Reference Group. We thank her for her reflections.
Content warning: this blog discusses domestic abuse, violence against women and the murder of women.
Last week I stood on the spot where a woman lost her life. A group of us heard how, on 17th October 1720 Margaret Hall’s young life was cut short. She was brutally murdered by her husband. It wasn’t the first attempt on her life perpetrated by him. At the time the people of Edinburgh, shocked and saddened by her murder, built a cairn on the spot where she died to remember her. We were told that, of course, this was probably the exact spot, but the years had blurred any certainty. However, the years hadn’t diminished that gut wrenching feeling when we hear of such a tragedy and the horror of the details.
Moving forward to today, we are still hearing similar stories of women who fall victim to violent men. We often imagine the mistreatment of women to be something in the past when we were more brutal, less civilised maybe, so why then are we still hearing the devastating stories of women losing their lives to domestic violence? The deaths of women make the headlines and the others who suffer in silence daily being deadened by abusive behaviour often aren’t heard. Sometimes we aren’t aware that the behaviours we manage everyday in our homes are abuse. Sometimes they are offset by charm and promises. Other times there is just simply nowhere else to go.
Domestic abuse is not limited to the headlines of horrific behaviours. It can be the everyday loss of freedoms such as handling our own money, deciding where we want to go and who we want to spend our time with, whether we have sex or not, and whether we are allowed to answer back.
Standing there in the sunlight of a beautiful autumn morning, shoulder to shoulder with people who cared, circled by the press, whose job it is to report such tragic events, I was aware that in 300 years we hadn’t come that far. As a society, we express horror when a woman loses her life in this way but what are we really doing to prevent this from happening?
I once saw a message left by a graffiti artist that read “ A country is only as great as the way it treats its women”. How great are we?, I wondered as I stood there with the beautiful backdrop of Edinburgh behind me, proud to be amongst others who care. What can we do to protect women and girls from day to day? How can we do more? Why are we still treated by some men as second class citizens, some lesser beings without a voice?
Standing in that spot I was also grateful that I survived
If you are looking for support around domestic abuse, please contact Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline on 0800 027 1234, email and web chat at www.sdafmh.org.uk or WhatsApp/Text on 07401288595.
by womensaidscot17 | Jun 5, 2024 | Uncategorised
As the UK General Election is due to take place on 4 July 2024 this update contains details on how to keep your voting registration details private and other important information for those affected by domestic abuse.
The deadline for registering to vote for the upcoming UK election is midnight on Tuesday 18 June 2024. You can register to vote here Register to vote – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
If your details on the electoral register might put your safety at risk, you can register anonymously so that your details, including your address, are not publicly available.
There are three steps to register to vote anonymously. You will need to:
- download and complete the application form
- explain why your safety, or the safety of someone in your household, would be at risk if your details were on the electoral register
- submit evidence to support your registration
You will need to return your application form, explanation and evidence to your local electoral registration office.
Once you are registered your electoral registration office will not disclose your details to anyone, unless they are legally required to. Anonymous registration only lasts for one year, so you must reapply each year. Your electoral registration office will contact you when it is time for you to reapply.
See more details here including the application form – Register to vote anonymously | Electoral Commission
For your safety, you can apply for a postal vote by 5pm on Wednesday 19 June 2024 or if you wish to vote in person you need to apply for an Anonymous Elector’s Document ahead of polling day. The deadline for this is 5pm on Wednesday 26 June and the details are in the link above.
See postal vote application details here – Apply to vote by post | Electoral Commission
by womensaidscot17 | Mar 20, 2024 | Uncategorised
This month marks two years since Scottish Women’s Aid’s Survivor Reference Group (SRG) began its inspiration and impactful work.
The group works to create a vital space for those with experience of domestic abuse to encourage policy and wider societal changes.
We can think of no better way to celebrate this milestone than to shine a light on some of the incredible progress made by one of the SRG’s members, Vicki.
As highlighted in the media this week, Vicki has continued to turn her personal pain into power, pushing for the development of workplace policies and practices to help make women safer.
Vicki has supported her own workplace – along with Grampian Women’s Aid – to raise awareness of domestic abuse. Through sharing her own experiences and expertise, Vicki has highlighted how employers can best support those experiencing domestic abuse, both past and present.
‘The policy encompasses training and awareness programmes for managers and employees, and is designed to help employers both understand domestic abuse and support those who have experienced or are currently experiencing it. As its ambassador, I am empowered to share my story and, in turn, to help protect others.’
To read Vicki’s full article, click here
